Obra: Olympia, Incidental music, VB 33: Overture

Problems of balance in the first half of Sinfonietta Riga's "European Christmas" concert are followed by excellent Kraus and Haydn in the second.

Die Klarheit des vibratolosen Tons schärft das Ohr des Zuhörers, lässt ihn das Leuchten reiner Intervalle erst richtig erfahren — und Isabelle Faust begeistert so mit reinem Beethoven.

The buzz in the Concertgebouw was palpable for many minutes before the entrance of Cecilia Bartoli. It was one of those occasions when even an audience member who knew nothing of the artists could hardly have failed to anticipate something special. She did not disappoint.